(Photo courtesy of the Lake Elsinore Storm)
The Lake Elsinore Storm defeated the Ontario Tower Buzzers 6-1 Thursday night, Sept. 10, at Diamond Stadium to win the South Division Series and advance to the California League Championship Series.
The Storm swept the best-of-three series, winning Game 1, 10-9, on Tuesday, Sept. 8, before closing out the series with Thursday’s 6-1 victory.
The Storm scored one run in the first inning, three in the second and two more in the eighth. The Tower Buzzers scored their only run in the sixth.
Alex Conover hit a double that scored Joe Tiroly in the first inning. In the second, Elliot Lascelles hit an RBI double that scored Qrey Lott, followed by a two-run double from Nu’u Contrades. In the eighth inning, with two outs, Jose Verdugo and Dawson Willis scored when a fly ball hit by Ty Harvey was dropped.
Kruz Schoolcraft started for the Storm and pitched five scoreless innings, striking out eight. Coleman Borthwick followed with two innings, allowing one run on two hits and striking out four. Lan-Hong Su pitched the final two innings, allowing no hits and striking out three.
The win sends the Storm to the California League Championship Series for the first time since 2024.
The Storm will face the San Jose Giants in the California League Championship Series. Game 1 of the championship series is scheduled for 4:35 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore. The championship series is a best-of-three.Â
Diamond Stadium is offering tickets as low as $5 and free parking for Sunday’s game. Gates open at 3:35 p.m., and the Storm will distribute remaining giveaways from the 2026 season at random while supplies last. To purchase tickets, click here.
